Round-the-Clock Purple and Gold

Kobe Bryant's next deal: It could take a bit of time

November 30, 2009 | 4:49
pm

First things first, he's not going anywhere. I'd be shocked- I'm talking flying-hippos-Best Picture-nomination- for-Ninja Assassins-Supreme Court-appointment-for-Ron Jeremy shocked- if Kobe Bryant's next contract wasn't inked with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the how and when is still a little iffy, in no small part due to the labor climate taking shape in the NBA. On the other hand, the extension considered a foregone conclusion a few months ago hasn't been signed. What gives?

"...The real reason might be that signing an extension isn’t his best
course of action. Bryant can guarantee himself more money by first
becoming a free agent, and then re-signing with the Lakers. The reason
for this is pretty obscure — the salary in the first year of an
extension cannot exceed the player’s maximum salary (105% of the
player’s previous salary, or the league-wide maximum salary by years of
service, whichever is greater), and it is amended downward if necessary
to conform to this rule. The start of Bryant’s extension would coincide
with the start of the next collective bargaining agreement, which could
change the way maximum salaries are calculated. If it does, the salary
in Bryant’s extension would be subject to the new rules. Depending on
how negotiations go, it is possible he could face a significant pay
cut.

However, by becoming a free agent in 2010 and signing a new
contract instead, Bryant would lock in his salary entirely under the
terms of the current agreement. His salary would not be subject to
amendment in 2011, as it would be with an extension..."

Whether he technically enters the free agent market or not, the Lakers hold two great trump cards over any other team. First, they can pay him more. Second, there isn't another team he can go to offering a better chance at sustained, ring-generating excellence than the Lakers. So again, he's not going anywhere, but the business side of things is still pretty interesting.